401k busted? Who is to blame for market volatility?

Your headline Tuesday is misleading. You say “2018 was the worst for U.S stocks in a decade” (Jan. 1). You neglect to mention that on Oct. 2 of this year, the Dow hit an all-time record of more than 26,800, up from about 24,500 on Jan. 1.

It was only the final two months of 2018 that did the market in — a period when it became more and more obvious that the Democrats were going to retake the House and make it their mission to sabotage and repeal everything Donald Trump and the Republicans managed to do that lead to record-breaking stock markets, job creation and record-low minority unemployment numbers.

Trump announces a tariff deal with China and the stock market soars. The next day the White House and the president himself retract all the “victories” he extolled. Does anybody remember his “deal” with North Korea? “There is no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea”? Trump tweets that Americans can “sleep well” tonight. With 5,000 lies and counting, some monied investors are dafter than the president.

Tim Huntley

Vista

Economy depends on certainty that is lacking

On paper, this economy should still be booming but the economy thrives on stability. Instead, we have the China trade war, bloated federal budgets, the lack of a ratified North American trade agreement, incoherent trans Pacific and European trade policies, tariffs, shutting down the government. Did I forget anything?

Add taking away health care, investigations too numerous to count, abandoning our allies in the Middle East and really everywhere. Before I can submit this letter, I’m certain there will be more self-inflicted chaos. This administration is driving the stock market and the economy over a cliff. I think I have figured out their economic strategy. It’s a plan to bring back coal. Each and every American gets a lump.